Text: Joshua 24:14-24
Memory verse:
”And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God, not willing that we suffer for ignorance, provided us with His word. It contains instructions on how to serve Him and the experiences of people we can learn from ‭‭(Rom‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬).
Let’s proceed in our study to search the scriptures on how to make our services acceptable to Him.
Serve heartily or wholeheartedly. It is to serve with the whole heart, soul mind, and strength. It is to be completely or fully committed and devoted; to show enthusiasm and zeal in service. It is to be on fire for the Lord! “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. “ (Col 3:23 GNT). God deserves an outstanding service.
The opposite is to be half-hearted, that is, having a divided heart or double-minded. God won’t accept such service. Unlike the leaders of the ten tribes who were half-hearted in following God, this is God’s testimony concerning Caleb,
”But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.“ ‭‭(Num 14‬:‭24‬). Those who serve the Lord heartily don’t have an idol in their hearts nor live a double life; don’t turn back with any slight challenge nor have a plan B in their hearts. They keep their positions and remain focused even when rebuked or offended (1 Sam 1:14-17; John 6:66-68). Are you serving God heartily?
Also, God won’t accept any service that is not rendered cheerfully. ”Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.“
‭‭(Psa‬ ‭100‬:‭2‬). Don’t come to the Lord frowning as if you are being forced to serve Him, even when you fast. Rather, let your face be lightened up and let joy erupt from your heart. God doesn’t accept any service rendered grudgingly, with reluctance or of necessity (2 Cor 9:7).
Friends, don’t assume to know but always search the word to know how to serve the Lord acceptably. May you never lose the reward of serving God in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, show me Your ways that I may serve You acceptably, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let me never serve You with divided heart or grudgingly but heartily and cheerfully, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I serve God heartily and enthusiastically because God deserves outstanding service.
2. I count it a great honour to be called into God’s service, so I serve Him cheerfully and joyfully.